Jharkhand removes hockey coach Sudhir Golla over absenteeism, harassment complaints

The Jharkhand govt has removed hockey coach Sudhir Golla from the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi over absenteeism and harassment complaints, according to an order issued by the Director, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, dated May 11, 2026.

“He has remained continuously absent from training duties and behaved inappropriately with girl trainees. In the past too, several verbal complaints had been received against Golla,” the order, a copy of which is with TOI, stated.

The order also noted that Golla, who hails from Telangana, was absent from the training centre for over two weeks without approval of the competent authority, disrupting training activities.

In his place, Karuna Purti, a coach at Government Girls’ School, Bariatu, has been assigned additional charge of the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre along with existing duties.

Hockey India on Friday subsequently removed Golla from its U-18 boys’ camp in Bhopal, where he was part of the ongoing programme as an assistant coach.

“The moment we learned about the harassment allegations, he was removed from the camp immediately. In Hockey India, we always take complaints of misconduct with utmost seriousness,” a Hockey India official told TOI.

The latest episode adds to recent controversies in Indian hockey, including an April complaint accusing a Hockey India official of sexual harassment and abuse of authority, and a 2025 case involving misconduct allegations against a junior women’s team coach.

During the maiden Women’s HIL as well, a coach was removed overnight after authorities were informed of harassment complaints involving younger players.

Golla had earlier worked as a technical official at national tournaments and, as recently as January this year, was with the Ranchi Royals as a stand-in manager during the Women’s Hockey India League.

Last year, he was head coach of the Jharkhand team during the Under-20 women’s meet, Under-18 women’s meet, and the Senior Women’s national tournament in Panchkula, Haryana, besides serving as manager of the women’s team during the National Games.

The development has, however, once again brought the focus on monitoring and accountability within grassroots and training setups.